Sound reproducing machine



Oct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed April14, 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. D. LA RU'E ET AL souun REPRODUCING MACHINEOct. 18, 1932.

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SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 r m n WOct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL 1,883,238

SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filgd Apri1 14, 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 'T N m wMW am i mm Oct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINEFiled April 14, '1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ETAL SOUND R EPRODUCING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 14, 1924Oct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed April14, 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 W -iQMLOMRM aU oz we ,5

Oct. 18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL 1,883,238

SOUND REPRODUC ING MACHINE Filed April 14. 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Oct.18, 1932. w. D. LA RUE ET AL 1,883,238

SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 m W ZWGU01 um 1 Patented Oct. .18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM D.LA EUE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND SAMUEL H. WISMEB, OI

PALMYRA, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO RADIO CORPORA-TION OF AMERICA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SOUNDREPEOD'UCING MACHINE Application filed April 14, 1924. Serial No.706,494.

- change of the record tablets, the restoration of the sound reproducinginstrumentalities to starting position, etc., have been complicated andliable to early derangement. It is an object of this invention toprovide a sound reproducing machine which is adapted to play a pluralityof record tablets in succession automatically, and which is simple andcompact in construction so that the machine may be housed in a cabinetof convenient size, and wherein the mechanisms for interchanging therecord tablets, restoring the sound reproducing instrumentalities tostarting position, etc., are of such simple and durable construction andarrangement as to minimize the likelihood of derangement even though themachine be operated by unskilled persons.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine with improved means for supporting a plurality of record tabletsin position for transference into cooperative relation with soundreproducing instrumentalities; to provide an improved magazine forrecord tablets adapted to hold tablets of different sizes eitherinterchangeably or intermixed in any desired order; to provide animproved magazine for record tablets adapted to engage the tablets attheir center holes and support the same; to provide an improved magazinefor record tablets adapted to support the tablets at an angle to theplane in which they are played, as in a substantially vertical position,for ready transference to playing position.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine with improved mechanism for transferring record tablets from amagazine into cooperative relation with the sound reproducinginstrumentalities; to provide a tablet-transfer device which is alsoadapted to support the record tablet in cooperative relation with thesound reproducing instrumentalities; to provide an improvedtablet-transfer device which by a single oscillation through a givenangle is adapted to remove a tablet from a magazine and position it ininoperative relation with the sound reproducing instrumentalities; toprovide 'a tablet-transfer device including a table which is adapted tocooperate with the ma azine to release a tablet therefrom and thenconvey said tablet into playing position and support the same incooperative relation with the sound reproducing instrumentalities.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine with improved mechanism for discharging record tablets fromplaying position at the completi on of the reproduction of soundtherefrom; to provide an improved tablet-transfer device which, as itmoves to receive a fresh tablet from the magazine, will discharge thetablet which is in laying position; to provide a tablet-trans er devicewhich by a single oscillation through a given angle will move a recordtablet into a position wherein gravity will act thereon to effect itsdischarge from said device and then convey a fresh tablet from themagazine into cooperative relation with the sound reproducinginstrumentalities; to provide a tablet-discharging device with meansadapted to positively free the tablet therefrom; to provide anoscillatable table for discharging a record tablet therefrom and meansto automatically free said tablet from said table as it oscillates outof playing position.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine adapted to play a plurality of record tablets in successionautomatically with improved mechanism to initiate the operation of thetabletinterchanging mechanism; to provide means for actuating atablet-transfer device by a reverse movement of the sound reproducinginstrumentalities arising from their cooperation with the recordtablets; to provide imroved means for actuating a tablet-transfer devicefrom the record tablet.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine with improved mechanism for returmng the sound reproducinginstrumentalities to starting position; to provide means actuated by areverse movement of the sound reproducin instrumentalities for effectingthe return 0 said instrumentalities to starting position; to provideimproved means for returning the sound reproducing instrumentalities tostarting position actuated by the record tablet.

Other objects of this invention are to provide .a sound reproducingmachine adapted to play a plurality of record tablets in successionautomatically and including a tablettransfer device, with means wherebythe machine will be automatically stopped in the event that saidtransfer device fails to move a record tablet into playing position; toprovide an automatic stop mechanism adapted to be actuated by atablet-transfer device and including means actuated by the presence of atablet on said device for rendering said stop mechanism inoperative tostop the machine.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine adapted to play a plurality of record tablets in successionautomatically with means for increasing the effective power of the motorduring the operation of the tablet-transfer device; to rovide a machineof the character descri d with a device adapted to lift the recordtablets from playing position and means to increase the effective powerof the motor during the performance of this lifting function.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a sound reproducingmachine adapted to play a plurality of record tablets in successionwhich is strong and durable in construction, efiicient in operation, andeasy to manipulate so that it may be readily operated by unskilledpersons.

Stated generally, the present invention provides means for supporting aplurality of record tablets, preferably in or near to a substantiallyvertical position by engaging said tablets at their central holes,whereby the magazine may be charged with tablets of different sizes,either interchangeably or intermixed in any desired order, and includingmeans for retaining the tablets in the magazine adapted to be actuatedby a tablettransfer device to effect the release of the foremost tabletin the magazine; means for transferring the tablets from said magazineinto cooperative relation with the sound reproducing instrumentalitiesfor supporting said tablets in position for cooperation with saidinstrumentalities, said means being shown the form of a table mountedfor oscillation through an angle of approximately 90 detent forretaining said mechanism out of operation and means for releasing saiddetent actuated by a reverse movement of the sound reproducinginstrumentalities, preferably produced by the cooperation of saidinstrumentalities with a suitable element, such as an eccentric'allypositioned groove, on each record tablet; means for returning the soundreproducing instrumentalities to starting position actuated by a reversemovement of said instrumentalities preferably provided by thecooperation of said instrumentalities with a suitable element, such asan eccentrically positioned groove, on the record tablet; means forautomatically stopping the machine in the event that the tablettransferdevice fails to move a tablet into playing position, preferablycomprising, in combination with any suitable switch or brake mechanism,means on the tablet-transfcr device for actuating said stoppingmechanism and means actuated by the presence of a record tablet on saidtablet-transfer device for rendering said last-named means inoperativeto actuate said stop mechanism; and means for increasing the effectivepower of the motor during the operation of the tablet-transfer device,preferably during the period when the transfer device is being lifted todischarge a tablet therefrom and position said transfer device inalignment with the tablets in the ma azine.

The invention is capafile of receiving a variet of mechanicalexpressions only one of WlllCh has been shown on the accompanyingdrawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are forpurposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a definition ofthe limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claimsfor that purpose.

In said drawings, wherein the same reference characters are employed todesignate corresponding parts in the several figures,-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sound reproducing machine embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said machine, certain of the parts beingshown in section for clcarness of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the sound reproducinginstrumentalities, with I 1,eea,2aa

the parts carried thereby, and the counter shaft, with the severalelements mounted thereon, in side elevation Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionthrough the tab-' let magazine and tablet-transfer device;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of component parts of the tabletmagazinedrawn apart for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tablettransfer andtablet-discharging devices and the automatic stop mechanism with partsdisplaced laterally for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation'of the tablettransfer device showing themeans for actuating the stop mechanism carried thereby.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of component parts of the device foractuating the stop mechanism drawn apart for clearness of illustrationFig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary axial section through thetablet-supporting member of the magazine;

Fig. 10 is a correspondin fra' mentary view illustrating the release 0 ata let from the magazine by the center post of the table;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section showing the tone-arm returning lever andassociated parts in side elevation;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the tonearm returning lever and thetrip mechanism with parts displaced laterally for clearness ofillustration;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the tonearm returning lever showing itsmanner of cooperation with the depending post on the tone-arm;

Fi 14 is a pers ective view of the lever for e evating and owering thereproducer and the plate cams for 0 rating the same;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the cam follower on the last-namedlever;

Fig; 16 is a perspective view from below of the variousinstrumentalities carried on the tone-arm;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the post carried by the tone-arm andthe parts carried thereby drawn apart for clearness of illustration Fig.18 is a perspective view of the parts carried onthe under side of thetone-arm drawn apart for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 19 is a transverse section showing in elevation the apron andpivoted track and associated operating devices;

Fig. 20 is a bottom plan view of the platelike cam members and theassociated lever for elevating and lowering the reproduoer;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the tone-arm with its associated mechanismfor returning the tone-arm and elevating and lowering the reproducer;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the stop mechanism with the parts drawnapart for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 23 is a side view of the clutch and its operating device;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the clutch and its operating deviceturned upside down;

and Fig. 25 is an axial section through the clutc Tablet magazine (Fi s.1, 2, 4, 5, 9 and 10) In conformity with t e present invention, meansare provided for supporting a plurality of record tablets in positionfor transfer into cooperative relation with sound reproducinginstrumentalities. While, as respects certain features of thisinvention, said means may be of any suitable construction and arrangedin an suitable manner, said means are preferab y so constructed as tosupport record tablets of .either large" or small diameter, e. g. eitherthe standard 12 or 10 inch tablets, in any desired order, and are soarranged as to support said tablets in a position making a large anglewith the horizontal and shown as a substantially vertical position fortransfer of the tablets successively into cooperative relation with thesound reproducing instrumentalities.

In the form shown, an upright bracket 1 is provided and by preferencepivotally mounted in any suitable way, as b pintles or pivot screws 2 inthe upstan ing side members 3 of a bracket plate 4 suitably mounted onany desired support, as the top wall 5 of a cabinet 6. Any suitablemeans may be provided for retaining the bracket in its upright position;in the form shown, said bracket 1 extends below its pivotal axis 2 asshown at 7 (Fig. 4 and said extension is retained a ainst a xed abutment8 on the bracket p ate 4 by a laterally extending arm 9 projecting froma stub shaft 10 which is also rotatably mounted in one of the up-,

standing side members of said bracket plate. The outer end of said stubshaft 10 carries a second arm 11 by which the stub shaft, and thereforethe arm 9, may be rotated into and out of operative position for lockingthe bracket 1 in its upright position. If arm 11 is rotated in ananti-clockwise direction, stub shaft 10 and arm 9 are same direction,and the bracket 1 is therefore freed from its abutment 8 so that it maybe swung about its axis 2 into a substantially horizontal osition, inwhich position it may be enclosed by the cover of the cabinet 6. Whenthe magazine is to be placed in operative position, the'bracket 1 may beswung about its axis 2 into the upri ht position and locked therein bymoving t e arm 11 in a clockwise direction to rotate the arm 9 intoengagement with the depending extension 7 of said bracket and press thelatter firmly against its abutment 8.

Suitably mounted on the up er end of said bracket 1 is a sleeve 12 (seeig. 4) closed at its outer end 13 and carrying on opposed rotated in thvlongitudinally extending grooves or slots 17 1 (see Fig. 5) to receivethe inwardly projecting ends of said screws 14, whereby the sleeve 16may reciprocate longitudinally within the sleeve 12 but may not rotatewith respect thereto, said grooves or slots 17 being shown as closed attheir inner ends to provide a stop for the outward movement of saidsleeve 16. The outer end of the sleeve 16 is provided with an inwardlydirected flange which may take the form of a centrally apertured block18 suitably secured within the end of the sleeve 16, and mounted on theouter end of said sleeve 16 is a centrally apertured plate or disk 19which may be of any suitable diameter but which is preferably ofsufficient size to afford a relatively large area of contact with arecord tablet. If desired, said plate may be provided with a facing 20(see Fig. 2) of any suitable soft material, such as felt.

Mounted within the sleeves 12 and 16 1s an axially extending tubularpost 21 which is reduced in external diameter at its forward end tosubstantially the size of the center holes of standard record tablets.Said post may be supported within said sleeves in any sultable way; inthe form shown said post has an outer end 22 which fits within acorresponding aperture in the end 13 of the sleeve 12 and a flange 23Which|may be drawn against the inner face of said end wall 13, andclamped in position, by a screw 24 threaded into the end of said postand provided with a large head for engagement with the outer face ofsand wall 13. Surrounding said post 21 is a COll spring 25 which abutsagainst the flange or block 18 at one end and the'flange 23 at its otherend, whereby said spring normally operates to urge the sleeve 16forwardly to a position wherein it is projected to its maximum extentfrom the sleeve 12.

The outer end of the tubular post 21 is pro vided with a longitudinalslot 26 (see Fig. 5), and pivoted within said slot on a transverse pin27 is a lever 28 the forward end of which projects beyond the outer endof the tubular post 21 and isthere provided with an upstanding toe 29.Said lever 28 has an elongated slot 30 at its inner end to receive thepivot pin 27 and permit some freedom of movement of said lever on saidpin. Said lever 28 is normally urged into such a position that the toe29 on the outer end of said lever is depressed, so that it does notproject beyond the peripheral surface of the tubular post 21. To thisend, a plunger 31 having an enlarged head 32 is reciprocably mounted inthe tubular bore 33 of the post 21, said bore being enlarged as shown at34 to receive said head 32 and a coil spring 35 which reacts betweensaid head 32 and the inner end of the screw 24 or other suitableabutment. The end of said plunger 31 is tapered as shown at 36 andcooperates with an inclined surface 37 on the inner end of the lever 28.Said surface 37 is so related to the axis of pivotal movement of saidlever 28 that said lever is urged in a clockwise direction intodepressed position by the forward pressure of the plunger 31, under theaction of the spring 35, on the inner end of said lever.

The outer end of the post 21 is formed eccentric with respect to thebody of the post as shown at 38 (Figs. 9 and 10) and reciprocallymounted within the outer end of said post but concentrically withrespect to the eccentric portion 38 thereof, is a short plunger 39 whichis slotted longitudinally thereof, as shown at 40, to receive the outerend of the lever 28. Plunger 39 is provided with a head 41 which isbeveled on its forward face, and said head, owing to its eccentricrelation to the body of the post 21, provides a shoulder 42 whichprojects above the said post. Said plunger 39 also has alongitudinally-extend- .ing recess 43.which normally contains the toe 29on the lever 28. Plunger 39 has a limited reciprocating movement withinthe post 21 and to this end is provided with a slot 44 which receivesthe projecting end 45 of a screw 46 threaded into an aperture in saidpost. This slot 44 is so designed that when its inner end (its left handend as viewed in Fig. 9) 1s in engagement with the inner end 45 of thescrew 46, the head 41 of the plunger 39 is spaced a short distance fromthe end of the post 21, this distance however being always less than thethickness of any record tablet to be mounted on said post. The eeccntricprojection 38 on the end of the post 21 is of such length that thedistance between the shoulder 47, between said eccentric portion and themain body of said post, and the shoulder 42 on the head 41 is greaterthan the thickness of any record tablet to be mounted on said post butless than the thickness of {any two tablets to be mounted on said posWhen record tablets are to be positioned in the magazine so fardescribed, pressure is applied to the face of the disk 19 to telescopethe sleeve 16 within the sleeve 12 to its farthest extent. The sleeve 16and disk 19 may be retained in this innermost position in any suitableway; in the form shown, the sleeve 16 is provided on its underside witha slot 48, and mounted within a tubular extension 49 on the sleeve 12 isa plunger 50 provided with a head 51 having an overhung lip 52 and aninclined surface 53. Said plunger is normally urged upwardly by a coilspring 54 retained within the tubular bore of said extension 49 andreacting between the end of the plunger 50 and a screw 55 threaded intothe lower end of said bore. As the sleeve 16 is telescoped into thesleeve 12, its inner \end engages the beveled surface 53 on the head 51and depresses the plunger 50 against the tension of the spring 54 untilthe slot 48 is brought into alignment with said head, whereupon thespring 54 forces the plunger 50 upwardly and the head 51 enters the slot48 and prevents the sleeve 16 and disk 19 from being forced outwardly bythe coil spring 25. In this position the reduced end of the tubular post21 projects forwardly of the disk 19 to an extent suflicient to receivethe desired number of record tablets, which may be slipped onto saidpost from its outer en When the desired number of tablets have beenslipped onto the projecting end of the post 21, the sleeve 16 isreleased from the head 51 in any suitable wa In the form shown a lever56 is pivote at 57 (Fig. 5) on the extension 49 and is received 1n alateral slot 58 in the plunger 50, and retained therein by a screw 59,said lever being provided with an outwardly extending thumb piece 60,whereby upon depression of said lever 56 the plunger 50. is de ressedand the head 51 withdrawn throug the slot 48. Owing to the overhanginglip 52, however, the head 51 of plunger 50 can be withdrawn through theslot 48 only in the event that pressure is first applied to the face ofthe tablets on the post 21 so as to move the sleeve 16 a ainst thetension of the spring 25 in- .War ly a slight distance. a This ensuresthat the hand shall be upon the face of the tablets at the-time that thesleeve 16 and disk 19 are released to be moved by the action of thespring 25, as a precaution that the sudden expansion of the spring 25shall not shoot the tablets off of the post 21 or injure the foremosttablet by hard impact with the shoulder 42 on the head 41.

The spring 25 presses the disk 19 and the series of tablets forwardlyuntil the foremost tablet is in engagement with the shoulder 42 which,projecting beyond the peripheral surface of the 0st 21, acts as a detentor stop to prevent t e tablets being forced off of the post. It will beperceived,however, that as the foremost tablet is removed from the postthe spring 25 presses the disk 19 and the remaining tablets on said postforwardly until the next-successive tablet contacts with said shoulder42. While the device as shown ositions the record tablets in themagazine 1n substantially vertical planes, this is not necessary so longas the tablets are held so as to be in alignment with the upwardlyswinging transfer device next to be described. Tablet transfermechanism. (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10) In conformity with the presentinvention, means are provided for automatically transferring tabletsfrom the magazine heretofore described into cooperative relation withsound reproducing instrumentali'ties. While,

as respects certain features of this invention, any suitable tablettransferrinomechanism may be employed, the preferrecf constructioncomprises a record transfer device which swings through an angle ofapproximately 90 and by a single oscillation through said angleautomatically picks up the foremost tablet in the magazine and conveysit into a substantially horizontal osition, said transfer device alsoprefera ly supporting the tablet in cooperative relation with said soundreproducing instrumentalities during the reproduction of sound.

In the form shown, the record transfer device comprises a table providedwith a center post 66 which has a flared conical outer end 67, said postbeing preferably of substantially the same diameter as the central holein standard record tablets. Mounted within said center post 66 is a pin68 having a conical outwardly projecting end 69 coaxial with the flaredconical end 67 of said post. Said pin 68 may be retained in posidisk 74suitably attached to the under side of the table 65.

Table 65 is designed to vbe swung from a substantially horizontalposition into a position substantially parallel to the tablets in themagazine and with its center post 66 in substantial alignment with thecentral hole of the foremost tablet. To this end said table 65 iscarried by a frame oscillatably mounted on any suitable support, as apart of the cabinet. In the form shown, said frame comprises a pair ofarms 76 and 77 suitably attached to a rotatable shaft 78 mounted in anysuitable way as in bearing sleeves 79 (see Fig. 1) on the cabinet. Theouter end of said frame carries, or has formed integral therewith, asemi-circular flange or member 80 which is designed to be received inthe peri heral slot 73 in the flan e 72 under the ta le 65. As the frame6, 77 is swung by rotation of the shaft 78 from a substantiallyhorizontal to its upward position, the flange 80 by en ga ement in theperipheral slot 73 carries the ta le 65 into position substantiallyparallel to the tablets in the magazine. In order to prevent the table65 from being thrown outwardly and off of the flange 80 by centrifugalforce as the frame is swung upwardly, the arms 76 and 77 of said frameare preferably provided with upstanding lugs or pins 81 positioned toengage a depending peripheral flange 82 on t e table and preventexcessive outward movement thereof should the table start to leave theflange 80.

When the table is swu g into its upward position by the frame 78, 77, itis in substantial alignment with and substantially parallel to thetablets on the post 21, and the conical end 69 of the pin 68 1s thrustinto the recess 43 in the plunger 39 to force the outer end of the lever28 upwardly (see Fig. 10). In this position, the table 65 is centeredcoaxiall with the plunger 39 by the engagement 0 the conicall flared end67 of the post 66 with the bevel; of the head 41. When the lever 28 isforced upwardly, the foremost tablet on the post 21 is engaged by thetoe 29 on said lever 28 and lifted from its position wherein it isconcentric with the body of the post 21 into a position wherein it isconcentric with the eccentric head 41 of the plunger 39, this movementbeing permitted by the eccentric extremity 38 of said post 21. Thespring 25, acting through the disk 19 and the series of record tablets,thereupon presses the foremost tablet off of the post 21 over the head41 and onto the center post 66 of the table. Said post is preferablyreduced in diameter intermediate of its length, as shown at 83, and thetablet received on the post 66 as just described will therefore slideinto the portion of reduced diameter, as shown in dot and dash lines inFig. 10. As the table returns to horizontal posltion the tablet will becarried therewith and be properly centered on the table by the post 66.

As heretofore pointed out, the table 65 is preferably utilized tosupport the tablet while in cooperative relation with the soundreproducing instrumentalities to effect the reproduction of sound and,to this end, means are provided whereby the table 65 is rotated whenreturned to horizontal position. In the form shown, the turn table shaft84 carries on its upper end a sub-table 85, said subtable beingpreferably held in frictional engagement w1th the shaft 84 in anysuitable way, as by a suitable ball clutch indicated in Fig. 4 andincluding one or more balls 86 carried in one or more recesses in thehub of the sub-table 85 and normally pressed by one or more springs 87into clutch engagement with the surface of the turn table shaft.

The u r surface of the sub-table 85 is provlded w1t one or more,preferably a plurality of, upstanding lugs 88, which may be convementlypressed upwardly'from the disklike body of the sub-table as clearlyshown in Fig. 6. The under side of the turn table 65 is provided withone or more depending lugs 89 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) incircumerentlal alignment with the lugs 88 when said table 65 is inengagement with the subtable 85, so that in the latter position a lug 88will engage the lug 89 and positively rotate the table 65. The upper endof the turn table d outer surface shaft 84 preferably projects above thesurface of the sub-table 85, as shown at 90, so as to center the table65, and the under side of the table 65, or the center post 66, isaccordingly recessed as shown at 91 in Fig. 4 to receive said projectingend 90.

Any suitable means may be provided for oscillating the shaft 78 toeffect the heretofore described movement of the frame 76, 77, 80. In theform shown, shaft 78 is extended at one end beyond its bearing sleeve79, as shown at 92 in Fig. 6 and is there provided with a crank arm 93to which is pivotally connected at 94, a link 95. Said pivot 94preferably takes the form of a bolt having an eccentric surface (seeFig. 7) so that, by rotation of said bolt, the extent of movement of thecrank arm 93 may be nicely adjusted. Link 95 is pivotally connected at96 to the long arm 97 of a bell crank lever 98 pivotally mounted at 99on any suitable part of the frame, as a depending lug 100. Projectingfrom the arm 97 of said bell crank lever is a pin or screw 101 which isreceived within an elongated slot 102 in an arm 103 projecting from aneccentric strap 104 coo rating with an eccentric 105. The outer an ofarm 103 is provided with a lateral pin 106 which is adapted to engagethe short arm 107 of said bell crank lever 98. The upper end of said am107 is provided with a lateral extension 108 which is of such extentthat the pin 106 may never move beyond the outer extremity thereof.

As eccentric 105 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 6 the strap 104 is actuated to move the arm 103 toward the left asviewed in said figure, and when the end of the slot 102 engages the pin101, the arm 97 of the bell crank lever 98 is rotated in ananti-clockwise direction and, through the link 95, rotates the crank arm93 in a clockwise direction to rotate the shaft 78 and swing the frame76, 77, 80, and the turn table 65 through substantially 90. After theeccentric has rotated through 180 the strap 104 moves the arm 103 towardthe right as viewed in Fig. 6 and the pin 106 engages the arm 107 of thebell crank lever 98 and moves the am 107 in a clockwise direction toeffect the lowering of the frame and table. As said table is moved intohorizontal position the arm 107 of the bell crank lever 98 is moved outof the path of the pin 106, and the latter may ride onto the uppersurface of the extension 108 but, owing to the length of said extensionas heretofore described, said pin 106 can never get beyond the same soas to engage the opposite side of said extension 108 of the arm 107 andinterfere with the operation of the device.

Tablet discharging mechanism. (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7) a In conformitywith the present invention, the tablet on the table 65 is automaticallydischar d therefrom as the table is moved upwa 1y to receive a newtablet. While any suitable discharging mechanism may be employed so faras respects certain features of this invention, the preferredconstruction comprises means for releasing the tablet from the table sothat it will move under the influence of gravity into a suitablereceptacle for receiving the same. In the form shown, the top of thecabinet 6 is rovided with an elongated aperture 110 w lich extendssubstantially parallel to the shaft 78 and closely adj acent thereto,said slot being sufliciently long to receive a tablet of the maximumdiameter to be employed. Beneath said slot 110 is a receptacle 111 (Fig.2) into which the tablets may drop, the walls of said receptacle and ofthe slot 110 being desirably lined with felt or other soft materlal, asshown at 112, so as to prevent injury to the tablet as it pass s throughsaid slot and into the receptable 111. A deflector plate 110', alsocovered with felt, may be positioned in the slot 110 to guide thetablets as they enter the receptacle 111.

Means are preferably provided for freeing the tablet on the table fromthe center post 66 as the table swings upwardly, so that the tablet maybe discharged through the slot 110 before the table reaches its upper ortablet-receiving position. Any suitable means ma be provided foreffecting this function; in the form shown, a lever 113 is pivotallymounted on a rod 114, which extends between the arms 76 and 77 of thetransfer mechanism, by means of depending lugs 115 on said lever. Oneend of said lever is expanded into arcuate form, as shown at 116, and isdesigned to underlie a tablet on the table 65, while the opposite end ofsaid lever is in the form of a plate 117. A coil spring 118 is connectedto said plate-like end 117 and the shaft 78, and by its tension, tendsto hold the lever 113 substantially parallel to the arms 76 and 77.Mounted on the support 5, in the path of movement of the platelike end117 as the latter swings with the frame 76, 77, 80, is an upstanding lug119 provided with a curved free end 120. As the frame 76, 77, 8O swingsupwardly from a horizontal position the plate-like end 117 engages thecurved surface 120 of the lug 119, and said lever is rotated about itsaxis 114 with respect to said frame, and against the tension of thespring 118, to the position shown in Fig. 2.

During this movement the arcuate end 116 of said lever, which underliesthe tablet on the table, tilts the tablet with respect to said table,and about its far edge, so that the center hole of the tablet is freedfrom the center post 66 of said table. By this time the table '65 hasswung upwardly to such an inclination that the tablet will slidedownwardly from the table, and across the arenate end 116 of said lever,into the slot 110, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. As the framecontinues to swing upwardly the end 117 will snap past said lug 119 andthe spring 118 will return the lever 113 to normal position. During thereturn of the table and frame to horizontal position the plate-like end117 of the lever 113 engages the lug 119 and the lever 113 is tilted inthe opposit-e direction against the tension of the spring 118 until itsnaps past said lug 119, but this movement has no effect on the tableton the table because the end 116 of the lever 113 is depressed withrespect to the table.

Tone arm returning mechanism. (Figs. 1, 3, 11, 12, 13 and 21)- Anysuitable sound reproducing instrumcntalitics may be employed, thatillustrated being the conventional taper tone-arm 125 having a tubularend mounted in any suitable support 126 whereby the tone-arm mayoscillate across the face of a record tablet. Said tone-arm ispreferably so mounted that its axis of oscillation is slightly inclinedto the vertical to the end that said arm may have a slight inclinationto move inwardly toward the center of the table 65. Tone-arm 125communicates with any suitable sound amplifying device 127 which may bemounted within the cabinet 6. Rotatably mounted on the free end of saidtone-arm 125 is the usual or any suitable goose neck 128 carrying at itsfree end a sound reproducer 129 of any suitable construction. Inconformity with the present invention, means are provided for movingsaid sound reproducing instrumentalities out of the path of theoscillating table 65 at the completion of the reproduction of sound froma tablet on said table, such movement taking place before the table isswung upwardly to discharge the reproduced record and receive a freshtablet.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the tone-arm 125 and thereproducer 129 from their position at the end of a record tablet to aposition outside of the periphery of said tablet. In the form shown, thetone-arm 125 is provided with a depending post 130, and mounted forcooperation with said post is a lever 131 pivotally mounted at 132 inany suitable way, as on a depending lug, and having its upper endprojecting through a slot in the top wall 5 of the cabinet 6. The upperend 133 of said lever 131 is bent horizontally, substantially at rightangles as shown at 134, and flared to provide an inclined lateral edge135 for engagement with the depending post 130. Beyond said flaredportion, said lever is reduced in width as shown at 136, so as toprovide a slot 137 between the extremity of said flared portion and ahorizontally extending arm 138 which projects a considerable distancebeyond said flared portion and is enlarged at its end as shown at 139 toprovide an inclined surface 140. The depending end 141 of said lever 131is extended laterally to form a toe 142, and said end is also providedwith an elongated arcuate slot 143 which is at a small angle to a radiusfrom the axis of oscillation of said lever 131. Received within saidslot 143 is a pin or screw 144 projecting from the lateral arm 145 of aneccentric strap 146 which cooperates with an eccentric 147. The oppositeend of said eccentric strap carries a late-like extension 148 which atits upper e ge is provided with a curved cam surface 149 designed tocooperate with a fixed pin or roller 150 suitably mounted on the frameof the machine.

Durin the period when sound is being reproduce ,the eccentric 147 isstationary and the pin 144 is adjacent the top of the slot 143,

so that it is relatively close to the axis of oscillation of the lever131. When the eccentric 147 starts to rotate, in an anti-clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 12, the arm 145 on the eccentric strap 146rotates the depending arm 141 of the lever 131 in an anti-clockwisedirection and the upwardly projecting end 133 of said lever in ananti-clockwise direction. The upper end of said lever thereupon engagesits inclined edge 135 with the depending post 130, which has beenbrought into adjacency thereto by the travel of the reproducer to theend of the record groove, and as said lever 131 swings on its axis 132,the inclined edge 135 wipes across the surface of the depending post130, exerting a lateral pressure on said post and swinging the tone-armabout its axis of oscillation outwardly until the reproducer is past theedge of the record tablet. The inclined surface 135 is made ofsuflicient length to move the reproducer outside of the peri hery of thelargest record tablet to be used in the machine, and during thismovement the lever 131 is moved rapidly owing to the radial distance ofthe pin 144 (at the top of the slot 143) from the axis of oscillation132 of said lever. When the tone-arm has been moved to such a ositionthat the reproducer is outside of the periphery of the record tablet theinclined edge 135 passes out of contact with the post 130, and said postrides into the slot 137 (see Fig. 13) for a purpose to be hereinafterexplained.

Mechanism for elevating and lowering the reproducer. (Figs. 2, 3, and 14to 21) In conformity with the resent invention suitable means areprovided for elevating the stylus of the sound reproducer out ofengagement with the record tablet prior to the outward movement of thetone-arm and sound reproducer and for maintaining said stylus elevatedduring the period when the tonearm and sound reproducer are being movedoutwardly to free the periphery of the record tablet. Any suitab emeans, so far as respects certain features of this invention, may beemplo ed to efl'ect this function. In the preferre embodiment, however,a bail 155 is suitably mounted on the goose neck 128 and is engaged andoperated by a longitudinally reciprocating rod 156 suitably mounted onthe tone-arm 125. In the structure illustrated, an arcuate plate 157 issuitably secured,

.as by a plurality of screws 158, to the under side of the tone-arm 125and carries'a plurality for example three, depending ugs 159 which areapertured to afford a bearing for the sliding rod 156. In order toenable adjustments to be made between the rod 156 and the bail 155 ascrew 160, shown as threaded into the end of the rod 156 and retained bya lock nut, constitutes an adjustable extension of said rod. Mounted onthe rod 156 for movement therewith is an elongated housing 161 securedon said rod in any suitable wa as b one or more screws 162. The underside 0 said housing 161 is provided with a lon itudinal channel or slot163 and pivoted wit in said slot, as on a pin 164, is a plate-likemember 165 which at its opposite end is provided with an overhangingledge or shoulder 166.

A lever 167, (Fig. 14) shown as formed with a pair of apertured lugs168, is suitably pivoted on the frame-work of the machine to oscillateon the pivot pin 168 (Fig. 19), and the upwardly extending portion ofsaid lever pro ects through the top wall of the cabinet and is formedinto an arcuate apron 169 which inclines downwardly and rearwardly (seeFig. 21) for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. The upper edge 170of said apron 169 constitutes a track upon which the overhangingshoulder 166 of the plate-like member 165 normally rides. The dependingend 171 of lever 167 is provided in any suitable wa with a wedge-shapedcam follower 172. s shown more particularly in Figs. 15 and 20 said camfollower may be formed as a wedge-like projection on a plate 173 securedto the depending plate-like end 171 of said lever.

Mounted for cooperation with said cam follower 172 are a pair ofplate-like reciprocating cam members 174 and 175. Member 174 is providedwith a lateral longitudinal projection 176 having a cam edge which, as

shown more particularly in Fig. 14, includes two notches 178 and 179between which is a wedge-shaped projection 180 which extends outwardlyto approximately'the plane of the remainder of the ed e of theprojection 17 6 (see Fig. 20) Member 175 has a corresponding laterallongitudinal projection 181 which is cut away at one extremity toprovide the inclined cam surface 182. Members 17 4 and 175 are desi edto move in unison through a part of their stroke and, to this end, ascrew 183 is threaded into the member 175 and passes through a slot 184in member 174. A leaf spring 185 is positioned between the head of thescrew 183 and the member 174 and normally urges the two members 17 4 and175 into frictional contact. Relative movement between said members 174and 175 is

